Arbeloa sees Mbappé as “one hundred percent” ready to play and sets no deadlines for Courtois.
Madrid, March 21 (EFE)
Kylian Mbappé will play against Atlético de Madrid, as revealed by his coach Álvaro Arbeloa, who hinted at the French striker’s starting position after he played a few minutes against Manchester City, assuring that he is at one hundred percent, and did not set a timeframe for the return of Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who suffered a muscle tear at the Etihad.
“I said that the day he returned would be because he was 100% fit, and the minutes we saw in Manchester, in two or three bursts of speed, showed that he’s in great shape. His feelings are what’s important, how he feels in training. Maximum confidence and assurances, and we’re thrilled to have such a game-changing player back who’s at 100%,” he stated emphatically in a press conference.
Arbeloa lamented Courtois’ absence in the derby against Atlético de Madrid, revealing that he was the one who asked him to stop at halftime at the Etihad Stadium, and expressed full confidence in his replacement, the Ukrainian Andriy Lunin.
“Risks are always involved when I put a player on the field. There are many things people don’t know, but few footballers go onto the field at 100% without any discomfort. It’s normal in competition. Thibaut wanted to continue playing at halftime, and it was I who decided to stop him because of the utmost confidence I have in Lunin,” he explained.
“He already proved at the club what a great goalkeeper he is, and I’m sure he’ll do it again in this great opportunity. It’s fortunate for this squad that when the best goalkeeper in history gets injured, we have another fantastic goalkeeper who’s going to show how good he is,” he added.
Real Madrid set a recovery period of one and a half months after confirming a muscle tear in the rectus femoris of his right quadriceps. Arbeloa opted for a different approach. “We haven’t set any deadlines. The two-week break will help us a lot, and we’ll see after that. Right now, we’re not setting a timeframe.”
Arbeloa, defender of the call-up of Mbappé and Bellingham to the national team
Despite Mbappé’s recent return after a month out with a knee sprain and Jude Bellingham’s continued absence due to a muscle injury, Arbeloa was understanding of France and England’s call-ups of two of his key players for the March friendlies.
“I think it’s fantastic. Mbappé is a player who’s available to the coach, he’s already played with us, and he’s definitely going to play tomorrow. I don’t see any problem with him and Bellingham going with their national teams. It’s good news to have so many international players. It means you have top-level players, and that’s good for Real Madrid,” he emphasized.
“Jude is available now, he’ll be in the squad tomorrow and we’ll see if he plays. I’m eager to see him on the pitch. From there, it’s normal that he could join his national team. It’s clear he’s a very intelligent player, he knows what he’s doing at every moment, the situation he’s in, and I’m very happy that he’ll be available to help us tomorrow,” he added.
Arbeloa, a world and European champion with the Spanish national team during his playing days, defended the right of national teams to call up players.
“What I can’t choose, I don’t dwell on. It’s normal that Jude and Mbappé go; I can’t pretend they don’t. They are crucial players for their national teams, which have a World Cup in a few months. I understand it perfectly because I was lucky enough to represent my country, and I know the pride one feels when playing for their national team, the responsibility it entails. There’s no problem; they are very intelligent and know how important they are to their countries and their clubs,” he concluded.
